Coaches&#39; Game Bag

ABSTRACT

A game bag comprising a housing forming an enclosure for storing game balls or pucks therein. The housing has an opening disposed in a front side thereof for receiving/dumping the game balls or pucks. A ramp cover is pivotally movable connected to the housing. The ramp cover covers the opening in a closed position and forms a ramp in an open position. A dumping handle is connected to the housing and disposed in proximity to a rear side of the housing for holding the game bag with the rear side up for dumping the game balls or pucks.

This application claims priority to Canadian Patent Application No. 2,837,959 entitled COACHES' GAME BAG, filed on Dec. 20, 2013 in the name of Kevin Paul Folland and Kevin Joseph Gallant, a partnership, and Kevin Paul Folland as inventor. The entire contents of that application are incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD

The present invention relates to sports equipment, and more particularly, relates to a coaches' game bag for carrying game balls or pucks and for enabling target practice by propelling the game balls or pucks into the coaches' game bag.

BACKGROUND

Typically, in training sessions of various sports such as, for example, hockey, field hockey, lacrosse, cricket etc. numerous game balls or pucks are used for practicing which are carried by the coach. Additionally, coaches carry various other pieces of training equipment such as, for example, game sheets, whistles, markers, tape, recording devices, etc.

A major aspect of the training in various sports is the target practice, i.e. propelling from various distances the game ball or the puck into a relatively small target area.

Collecting the game balls or pucks after practice typically requires the players to get down on their hands and knees to pick up the game balls or pucks and to put them into a bag. The collection of the game balls or pucks is not only an inconvenience but can be a safety issue. For example, players collecting the game balls or pucks can be hit by other players that are still practicing resulting in injuries. In hockey, a player's hands can be cut by another player's skates when collecting the pucks, in particular, when the player has the gloves removed to facilitate collecting the pucks.

It is desirable to provide a coaches' game bag that comprises an enclosure for carrying numerous game balls or pucks and additional compartments for carrying other pieces of training equipment.

It is also desirable to provide a coaches' game bag that enables collecting the game balls or pucks by rolling/sliding the same into the game bag.

It is also desirable to provide a coaches' game bag that enables target practice.

It is also desirable to provide a coaches' game bag that facilitates dumping of the game balls or pucks contained therein.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, one object of the present invention is to provide a coaches' game bag that comprises an enclosure for carrying numerous game balls or pucks and additional compartments for carrying other pieces of training equipment.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a coaches' game bag that enables collecting the game balls or pucks by rolling/sliding the same into the game bag.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a coaches' game bag that enables target practice.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a coaches' game bag that facilitates dumping of the game balls or pucks contained therein.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a game bag. The game bag comprises a housing forming an enclosure for storing game balls or pucks therein. The housing has an opening disposed in a front side thereof for receiving/dumping the game balls or pucks. A ramp cover is pivotally movable connected to the housing. The ramp cover covers the opening in a closed position and forms a ramp in an open position. A dumping handle is connected to the housing and disposed in proximity to a rear side of the housing for holding the game bag with the rear side up for dumping the game balls or pucks.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for target practice. A game bag is provided. The game bag comprises a housing forming an enclosure for storing game balls or pucks therein. The housing has an opening disposed in a front side thereof for receiving/dumping the game balls or pucks. A ramp cover is pivotally movable connected to the housing. The ramp cover covers the opening in a closed position and forms a ramp in an open position. A dumping handle is connected to the housing and disposed in proximity to a rear side of the housing for holding the game bag with the rear side up for dumping the game balls or pucks. The game bag is placed onto a surface. The ramp cover is moved into the open position such that the ramp cover forms a ramp in contact with the surface. The game balls or pucks are propelled via the ramp into the enclosure. The ramp cover is moved into the closed position and the game bag with the game balls or pucks is lifted from the surface. Using the dumping handle the game bag is hold with the rear side up and the game balls or pucks are dumped onto the surface.

One advantage of the present invention is that it provides a coaches' game bag that comprises an enclosure for carrying numerous game balls or pucks and additional compartments for carrying other pieces of training equipment.

A further advantage of the present invention is that it provides a coaches' game bag that enables collecting the game balls or pucks by rolling/sliding the same into the game bag.

A further advantage of the present invention is that it provides a coaches' game bag that enables target practice.

A further advantage of the present invention is that it provides a coaches' game bag that facilitates dumping of the game balls or pucks contained therein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

An embodiment of the present invention is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 a is a simplified block diagram illustrating a perspective view of a coaches' game bag according to one embodiment of the invention with the ramp cover in an open position;

FIG. 1 b is a simplified block diagram illustrating a perspective view of a front portion of the coaches' game bag according to one embodiment of the invention with the ramp cover in a closed position;

FIG. 1 c is a simplified block diagram illustrating a perspective view of a rear portion of the coaches' game bag according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 1 d is a simplified block diagram illustrating a top side view of the coaches' game bag according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 a is a simplified block diagram illustrating a perspective view of the coaches' game bag according to one embodiment of the invention during dumping of the game balls or pucks;

FIG. 2 b is a simplified block diagram illustrating a perspective view of the coaches' game bag according to an embodiment of the invention during target practice; and

FIG. 3 is a simplified block diagram illustrating a perspective view of the coaches' game bag according to an embodiment of the invention with dimensions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention belongs. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, certain methods and materials are now described.

Referring to FIGS. 1 a to 1 d, a coaches' game bag 100 according to one embodiment of the invention is provided. Housing 102 forms an enclosure 104 for storing a plurality of game balls or pucks 10 therein. The housing 102 has an opening 105 disposed in a front side 106 thereof for receiving/dumping the game balls or pucks 10. Ramp cover 110 is pivotally movable connected at pivot 112 to the front side 106 of the housing 102 with the pivot 112 being disposed a predetermined distance above bottom surface 116 of the housing 102. The ramp cover 110 securely covers the opening 105 in a closed position for securely containing the game balls or pucks 10 in the enclosure 105 while the coaches' game bag 100 is carried, as illustrated in FIG. 1 b, and forms a ramp in an open position, as illustrated in FIG. 1 a. Dumping handle 114 is disposed to the rear of the housing 102 for holding the game bag 100 with the rear side 108 up for dumping the game balls or pucks 10. For carrying the coaches' game bag 100 carrying handles 132 are mounted to a top portion of the housing 102. Optionally, a shoulder strap (not shown) is also mounted to the top portion of the housing 102. Further optionally, vents 140 are disposed in the housing 102 for venting the enclosure 104. Further optionally, ownership tag 138, for example, in the form of a transparent plastic sleeve for inserting a name card, is disposed on the outside of the housing 102.

The housing 102 of the coaches' game bag 100 may be substantially rigid and forms a rectangular cuboid, as illustrated in FIG. 1 a. For example, the housing 102 can be made of a substantially rigid sheet material such as aluminum, fiber composite, wood, or plastic, using conventional fasteners such as, for example, adhesives, screw fasteners or rivets. The housing 102 can be made of such material further comprises a cover made of a flexible material such as, for example, synthetic fiber fabric or leather, covering the outside of the housing 102. The dumping handle 114 and the carrying handles 132 can be made of a flexible material such as, for example, synthetic fiber material or leather, and are mounted to the housing 102 using conventional fasteners such as, for example, screw fasteners or rivets.

The ramp cover 110 can be secured to the front side 106 of the housing 102 using strips 122A, 122B of a hook-and-loop fastener—such as, for example, Velcro® hook and loop fastening material—disposed on each side of the opening 105 and the ramp cover 110. The ramp cover 110 is then easily opened by just pulling the same, as indicated by the block arrow in FIG. 1 b. Optionally, a pull tab is mounted to the ramp cover 110 for pulling the same. Alternatively, other fasteners such as, for example, zip fasteners are employed. The ramp cover 110 is mounted to the front side 106 of the housing 102 in a conventional manner using, for example, a continuous metal hinge or a hinge made of a flexible material. The ramp cover 110 can comprise tapered edge 120 for being placed onto surface 14 in the open position, as illustrated in the detail in FIG. 1 a, in order to avoid a step between the surface 14 and the ramp cover 110, in particular, when the coaches' game bag 100 is used for target practice with hockey pucks.

Gripping elements 118 can be mounted to the bottom side 116 of the housing 102—for example, four gripping elements 118 are mounted to the corner sections of the bottom side 116—for securing the housing 102 to the surface 14 during receipt of the game balls or pucks 10. For example, for securing the housing 102 to an ice surface 14 for hockey practice, dome shaped gripping elements 118 having a serrated edge are provided, as illustrated in FIG. 1 a. The gripping elements 118 are made of, for example, a metal such as steel or aluminum and are mounted to the bottom side 116 of the housing 102 using conventional fasteners such as screw fasteners, rivets or adhesive. Alternatively, the gripping elements 118 are provided as spikes. Further alternatively, depending on the type of surface 14 used for the target practice other types of gripping elements 118 such as, for example, suction cups, are employed.

For carrying various pieces of training equipment such as, for example, game sheets, whistles, markers, tape, recording devices, rear compartment 124 is disposed on the rear side 108 of the housing 102, as well as one or more side compartments 126 are disposed on the left hand side and/or the right hand side. The side compartments 126 can be designed for storing relatively flat items therein such as, for example, game sheets, smartphones, or tablet computers. Further, at least one of the side compartments 126 may be designed for storing letter sized paper sheets therein, as illustrated in FIG. 1 d.

The content disposed in the rear compartment 124 and the side compartment 126 is secured using fasteners 130 and 134, respectively, such as, for example, a zip fastener or a hook-and-loop fastener. The rear compartment 124 and the side compartments 126 are, for example, integrated into the fabric or leather cover of the housing 102. Alternatively, at least the rear compartment 124 is integrated into the substantially rigid housing 102 for better protection of the content.

Optionally, one or more compartments are disposed on top of the enclosure 104 of the housing 102.

The game balls or pucks 10 contained in the enclosure 104 of the coaches' game bag 100 are easily dumped through the opening 105 onto the surface 14 by opening the ramp cover 110 and then holding the coaches' game bag 100 with the rear side 108 up by gripping the dumping handle 114 using one or both hands 12, as illustrated in FIG. 2 a. The dumping handle 114 can be disposed in proximity to the bottom side 116 of the housing 102 in order to facilitate the emptying of the enclosure 104.

For target practice, the coaches' game bag 100 is securely placed onto the surface 14 via the gripping elements 118. The ramp cover 110 is moved into the open position such that the same forms a ramp with the edge 120 being in contact with the surface 14. The game balls or pucks 10 are then propelled via the ramp into the enclosure 104 using, for example, a hockey stick 16, as indicated by the block arrow in FIG. 2 b. After the game balls or pucks 10 are collected in the enclosure 104 the ramp cover 110 is moved into the closed position and the coaches' game bag 100 with the game balls or pucks 10 is lifted from the surface 14.

Referring to FIG. 3, the dimensions of one particular embodiment of the coaches' game bag 100 are: length L 356 mm; width W 267 mm; length L1 203 mm; distance D1 64 mm; distance D2 13 mm; and distance D3 51 mm.

The present invention has been described herein with regard to certain embodiments. However, it will be obvious to persons skilled in the art that a number of variations and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as described herein. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A game bag comprising: a housing forming an enclosure for storing game balls or pucks therein, the housing having an opening disposed in a front side thereof for receiving/dumping the game balls or pucks; a ramp cover pivotally movable connected to the housing, the ramp cover for covering the opening in a closed position and for forming a ramp in an open position; and, a dumping handle connected to the housing and disposed in proximity to a rear side of the housing for holding the game bag with the rear side up for dumping the game balls or pucks.
 2. The game bag according to claim 1 comprising a hook and loop fastener for securing the ramp cover in the closed position.
 3. The game bag according to claim 1 comprising gripping elements disposed on a bottom side of the housing, the gripping elements for securing the housing to a surface during receipt of the game balls or pucks.
 4. The game bag according to claim 1 wherein the ramp cover comprises a tapered edge for being placed onto a surface in the open position.
 5. The game bag according to claim 3 wherein each of the gripping elements comprises a serrated edge for securing the housing to an ice surface.
 6. The game bag according to claim 1 wherein the housing is substantially rigid and forms a rectangular cuboid.
 7. The game bag according to claim 6 wherein the housing comprises a rear compartment disposed on the rear side of the enclosure.
 8. The game bag according to claim 6 wherein the housing comprises at least a side compartment.
 9. The game bag according to claim 8 wherein the housing comprises the at least a side compartment is designed for storing therein letter sized paper sheets.
 10. A method for target practice comprising: providing a game bag comprising: a housing forming an enclosure for storing game balls or pucks therein, the housing having an opening disposed in a front side thereof for receiving/dumping the game balls or pucks; a ramp cover pivotally movable connected to the housing, the ramp cover for covering the opening in a closed position and for forming a ramp in an open position; and, a dumping handle connected to the housing and disposed in proximity to a rear side of the housing for holding the game bag with the rear side up for dumping the game balls or pucks; placing the game bag onto a surface; moving the ramp cover into the open position such that the ramp cover forms a ramp in contact with the surface; propelling the game balls or pucks via the ramp into the enclosure; moving the ramp cover into the closed position; and, lifting the game bag with the game balls or pucks from the surface.
 11. A method according to claim 10 comprising: using the dumping handle holding the game bag with the rear side up; and, dumping the game balls or pucks onto the surface. 